Sunday, 29 March 2026
PALM SUNDAY
REFLECT & PRAY
A Word from Fr Danny:
We enter Holy Week with a certain trepidation, often because we feel we have not prepared well enough or kept our Lenten promises. Our preparation may not be perfect, but the key to living Holy Week well is to realise it is holy not because of us, but because of Christ and what He accomplished.
In this one week, we experience the full gamut of human emotions. We begin with Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and we end with His victorious exit from the grave, where He conquers death itself. In between, He gives us the Mass at the Last Supper and offers His total self in His Passion and death, even crying out, “My God, my God, why have you deserted me?”
Surely we can find something to identify with in Christ this Holy Week. More than identifying, we can choose to enter into what He is experiencing and allow ourselves to walk with Him. In doing so, some of that holiness will inevitably touch and transform us.
- Fr Danny
Questions for the Week:
FIRST READING: ISAIAH 50:4-7
Isaiah speaks of his obedient response to God’s call despite his suffering. Have you ever suffered for your faith?
SECOND READING: PHILIPPIANS 2:6-11
Paul recounts how Jesus’ life was characterized by humility and obedience. In what ways do you live by these virtues?
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 26:14-27:66
There are numerous unique features to Matthew’s account of the passion of the Lord, including the details of Judas’ suicide. What parts of the passion narrative do you find most engaging?
©LPi
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Those whose anniversaries occur this week:
Norma Logan, Katarina Shaw, Edna Wilkie, Natasha Jakschik, Judith Cox, Pei Paerata, Doris Moriarty, Corinne Hannah, Ronald Turner, Irena Skiba, Kathleen McAneney, Anny Van Ophoven, John Nichols, Frank Heke, Maria Ellwood, Gerarda Spijkerbosch, Ans Van den Broek, Bruce Vernon, Rufine Dickie, Malo Papalli, Pauline McKenna, William Taylor, William White, Ferdinand Romirer, Audrey Dorresteÿn.
Our Elect:
Malin, Sophie, John, Beaden and Mary are journeying towards being received into the church at Easter. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to continue to enlighten their hearts and minds, and guide them to a deeper faith and love of Jesus, His church and His mission.
PRAY | FAST | GIVE
“But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing”
Focus on the needs of our brothers and sisters.
GIVE to a charity or a worthy cause.
St Vincent de Paul | Foodbank Request
This Lent, as we pray, fast, and give alms, you’re invited to share Christ’s love in a practical way. We are collecting non-perishable food items and small Easter treats to create Easter baskets for those in need.
Please place your donations in the St Vincent de Paul food bins in the foyer. Thank you for making your Lenten journey one of generosity and hope.
BISHOPS' LENTEN APPEAL
The New Zealand Bishops are encouraging the Catholic community to prayerfully consider how they can contribute to the annual Lenten Appeal. The appeal supports the work of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, which through its global network serves some of our world's most vulnerable and needy communities. The Bishops explain that acts of Christian charity can change the lives of those who benefit from that charity, but also can transform those who give with generosity — according to their own circumstances. Find out more at www.caritas.org.nz/lent
GOOD FRIDAY | DAY OF FASTING & ABSTINENCE
POPE LEO MONTHLY PRAYER INTENTION: MARCH ‘For disarmament and peace’
Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.
PARISH NEWS
Due to Fr Danny attending the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Tuesday 31 March, Mass in Taupō will be at 8am.
JOIN US THIS WEEK
Sunday, 29 March: Palm Sunday
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
8.30am | Chapel | Taupō
PACT | Come & See Information Session
After 9am Mass | Youth Den | Taupō
Divine Mercy Chaplet
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Monday, 30 March
Mass
7pm | Church | Taupō
Tuesday, 31 March
Mass | Please note time change
8am | Church | Taupō
Community Lunch | Last one for the term
1pm | Café | Taupō
Junior Youth Group | Last one for the term
6pm-7.15pm (Year 7-9) | Taupō (Weekly during school term)
Wednesday, 1 April
Depth Charge Connect | Last one for the Term
10am | Hancock’s Place | Taupō
Stations of the Cross | Tūrangi
11.30am | Church | Tūrangi
Mass
12noon | Church | Tūrangi
Fair-Weather Gardeners
12pm - 3pm | Taupō
Mahjong Connect
1pm | Café | Taupō
Ave Connect | Rosary
7pm | Chapel | Taupō
RCIA
7.30pm | Café | Taupō
Thursday, 2 April | Maundy Thursday
Purl Connect | Knitting Group
1pm | Café | Taupō
Mass of the Lord’s Supper
7pm | Church | Taupō
Friday, 3 April | Good Friday
Stations of the Cross
11am | Church | Taupō & Tūrangi
Celebration of the Passion of Our Lord
3pm | Church | Taupō
Saturday, 4 April | Holy Saturday
Easter Vigil
8pm | Church | Taupō
Ministers for Sunday, 29 March
Palm Sunday
Taupō
Tūrangi
THIS WEEK….
UPCOMING
RETREATS
One space left at Cluny Weekday retreat. Join us for a peaceful (silent) Ignatian retreat that includes Mass and personalised spiritual guidance from Fr. Richard Shortall SJ. Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 at 7:00 PM to Friday, Apr 24, 2026 at 8:00 AM, Cluny Retreat Centre, Tauranga.
Pilgrimage of Mercy | Women’s Retreat
Date/Time - Fri 29 May - Sun 31 May 5:00pm - 12:00pm
Being led by Grace to the River of Mercy
Come as you are; weary, wondering, or wide open. Journey with us into a sacred space of rest, reflection, and renewal.
Guided by Sr. Kat Stone (MGL Australia) and Retreat leader and coach Jen (Aust. Cert in leadership in Ministry), this Spirit-led retreat is an invitation to step away from the noise of life and walk gently toward the stillness of divine mercy.
Through prayer, silence, sacred conversation, and moments of still waters, you’ll be led – not by striving – but by grace, into the tender current of God’s healing presence.
This is a pilgrimage for the heart – a return to the mercy that was never withheld, only forgotten. You don’t need to earn it. You simply need to follow and allow God to minister to you.
Retreats
Tyburn Monastery, Ngakuru &
Cluny Retreat Centre, Tauranga
DIOCESAN NEWS & EVENTS
CHRISM MASS
The Chrism Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 31 March at 1:00 pm. All are welcome to join us to witness the blessing of the holy oils and the consecration of the Chrism for our diocese.
BISHOPS' LENTEN APPEAL
The New Zealand Bishops are encouraging the Catholic community to prayerfully consider how they can contribute to the annual Lenten Appeal. The appeal supports the work of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, which through its global network serves some of our world's most vulnerable and needy communities. The Bishops explain that acts of Christian charity can change the lives of those who benefit from that charity, but also can transform those who give with generosity — according to their own circumstances. Find out more at www.caritas.org.nz/lent
"Strengthening our Culture of Safeguarding"
This 90-minute workshop is suitable for any person with a role (paid or volunteer) in any Catholic organisation or group. Registration is required, and anyone 18 years and
younger must attend with a parent/guardian. Attendance is recorded, and a certificate of attendance will be issued.
Reach out to safeguarding@nops.org.nz if you have any questions.
Wed 8 Apr 7:00 pm
Wed 15 Apr 12 noon
Reflect on the gospel foundation of safeguarding
Learn what it means to use a safeguarding lens in our roles
Engage through reflective questions and scenarios
SET FREE - Y10-13
7-9 April at St Peter’s School, Cambridge. Registration $130. Some parish sponsorship available. Register: tinyurl.com/SetFree2026
HEAVEN COME - ages 18-35
10-12 April at St Peter’s School, Cambridge. Registration $150. Some parish sponsorship available. Register: tinyurl.com/HC-2026
Join a group pilgrimage to Medjugorje from 05-18 June 2026.
Experience ‘Medjugorje In-Depth’ with a 10-night stay in the Holy Valley.
Expressions of interest are welcome.
Contact Patricia:
info@mirpilgrimages.co.nz | 027 35 25 217
Men's Rosary
Calling all men to gather and pray for the conversion of New Zealand!
Where: Steps of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary
When: Saturday, 28 March 2026, 12:00 pm
Recurring: Every first Saturday of the month from May
Contact: Bruce 021 556 227
Join our Bishops and other people of faith to explore the Gospels of Lent online.
Parishioners are warmly invited to take part in the Lent Webinar Series 2026, a six‑week national online journey with New Zealand’s Catholic Bishops. Through prayer, reflection and sharing, Caritas and the Bishops of Aotearoa invite you to join us for a journey through Lent, in the light of the Gospel and the needs of our world. Hear what the Lord is asking of us in our moment of time. Each session includes guided reflection, insights from Catholic social teaching, and moments for quiet contemplation as we prepare our hearts for Easter.
To register, simply scan the QR code on the poster or visit the Caritas website.
www.caritas.org.nz/lent-webinars
